Event proposals

[BUIZILLA]

Good day everyone >>

Over the last 2-3 years there has been a decline in the events within the Donzi community. Some events have even combined other Aronow heritage hulls for additional participation. The DMRS has co-sponsored and/or supported all the events that it was welcomed to. We would like to see better participation at existing events, and perhaps a few new ones. To that end, we would like to use this topic and forum to banter idea's back and forth on how to better expand and cement the future gatherings.

We are sincerely interested in opinions. We don't want to use this medium as previous event bashing, but respectful suggestions should be aired out. Let's hear the good and bad.

We would like to see territory derived groups, with perhaps one or more go-to members to coordinate their area's,

ie; the SEADOGS needs a new leader and calender of events, so whom among us wants that rein? How about an OH-MI-IN-IL-MN leader? how about a Midwest OK-KS-CO-MO leader? how about a TX-OK-KS-CO leader? How about a Northeast leader? how about a mid country KY-TN-GA-AL-SC-NC? how about a Mid-Atlantic leader?

see where we're going with this?

with that said, lets open up this topic for suggestions and concrete plans.

the attached poll is MULTIPLE CHOICE

How 'bout it ?

[boldts]

As a past President of the Midwest Donzi Club and gathering, first let me thank-you Jim for putting a poll together to questionand get opinions from the boat owners.

Here are just a few items I delt with back in 2001 when we started theAwakening of the Horses gathering at Lake Cumberland in KY.

1. Do we have a location on the lake to house everyone attending and the facilities to accommodate them and their boats.
2. Date to hold the gathering so as to not interfere with already established gatherings. With-in the date issue of course is the cost factor. If you can schedule it before or after the normal summer season of the area your wanting to hold the gathering, its a good thing. Owners are already paying major dollars to bring their boat or boats and family to a gathering.
3. Getting the word out to the boat owners. Advertising. With advertising you want to make the gathering appealing to potential sponsors.

When we picked the date for AOTH, it was because we could in May get the use of the whole resort before the prime season. Lower cost and let’s face it,performance boats in most cases make a lot of noise warming up at 6am for that glass smooth run on the lake for testing or a run to breakfast. The name of the gathering came from the date. Remember, almost every weekend on some lake or ocean has something going on. Celebrations, Poker Runs, etc. Even if it's just a day on your hometown lake with your family. Attending a boat gathering is a commitment by the people wanting to attend. Location came from the invite to run my Donzi with Byron and Jerry on Lake Cumberland. They invited me for a long weekend to run with them. I just said lets invite every Donzi owner in the country. Jamestown was centralized on the lake and we had plenty of overflow accommodations with the Lake Cumberland State Park Resort right across the inlet from us.

As the snowball began to roll, I spoke with Fast Eddie who at the time was President of the Lake George Donzi Club. He told me some good information on the what to do and what not to do. We discussed our date for the gathering as the long running Lake George Dust-off happens this time of year also. He didn't feel that us holding AOTH the 2nd weekend of May would be too close to the Dust-off. He also didn't feel that his attendance would be hurt or that AOTH would take away any of the specialness that the Dust-off had come to be known for.

Time for a sponsor and a dealer selling Donzi boats to be asked about supporting the gathering. Byron had a couple dealers in mind and yes was able to find one willing to bring a few boats to our gathering. Tom Riggle and the late Randy Carabelli brought Turbo Propellers through their association with them to the gathering. Food for the gathering came from Jerry's profession and after year one, a Texas smoker/meat donation from Mark, Todd and the help of their lovely wives. The 1st year, we used the Jamestown Resorts staff for our dinner They supplied the main items and everyone was asked to bring a cover dish item. Jerry did a masterful job with organizing our meals. Got names and numbers of guests so no one would go hungry or be mad because we ran out of food. The gathering t-shirt the first year came together by a company in Columbus,OH. I took Donzi photos, books and owner's manuals to them and said I need a gathering t-shirt. (I'll bet there are even a few people out there who have that first year shirt still hanging in their closet like I do.) We were then blessed to be provided with a then living in MI artist named Jeff Dykama. This young man is in a wheel chair, unable to move from his waist down and yes a Donzi owner who can drive the prop off a performance boat. He has since married and has a son living out on the West side of our country now. He has done the designs for the gathering t-shirts every year since 2001. I used to just give him a boat I wanted to dedicate that year and he's hit it out of the park every year with his designs! Something that really only an owner of a Donzi could have done.

For my final supporting body, we were blessed that the Donzi factory executives took interest in our plans and sent a wonderful aid to me named Mike Miller. Mike arrived and said Scott, how can I help? He was our MC that first year. Since then for most of the years we've had Tom a ZX owner from IN I believe entertaining the gathering. The man can sell anything at an auction and livins the party even more with his fun loving, joking atitude. The lovely ladies presenting the auction items over the years. Doctor Dan who created a line of Donzi clothing at the time the factory didn't have one available to the owners. Donzi Fat Towels were also offered. The wives, girlfriends of the owners letting us be kids for just a few days.

I know I'm leaving people out with this post. Jerry's daughter Elizabeth, Byron's brother Brandon who brought the trailer company he worked for in as asponsor 1 year. The Donzi owners who boat on Lake Cumberland for all their information on places to see, places to eat on the lake. General area knowledge.

My point and reason in laying all this out is that putting a National gathering together whether it be done by groups of states people willing to come together or just a simple gathering of a couple friends who own a Donzi boat for a weekend or day run all take many behind the scenes people. It can be over-whelming. I was always told Scott, you can please some of the people some of the time, but chances are there may be some who just don't agree with what your doing or how your doing it. I'm happy to say that in most of the AOTH years, that more were pleased than not pleased.

One last thing. I really don't think there needs to be worries of the number of attendees at any gathering. The first year of AOTH I was amazed at so many Donzi boats being in one place and the distances their owners had traveled. I had the only one on my normal lake outing at home with maybe another one being seen far and few between. Boat gatherings aren't about how many boats show up, but owners meeting and becoming friends with maybe someone living near them they didn't even know and building a bonding relationship with them the rest of their lives because they share the Mystic of owning a Donzi or other boat manufacturer's boat. It's the people who make gatherings a success. I remember watching people arrive every year at the launch ramp. There would always be a group willing and able to help if someone needed it, but truthfully, we were hanging out to see a boat we hadn't seen before or to see the new boat someone had purchased or the most prized discoveries, the upgrades that owners had done from year to year.

Stepping down off the pedistal now. I hope I've been able to give those voting a little more insight to gatherings, why we start and do them every year. Best wishes to all!

[Thirdchildhood]

I am closing my week-end flea market store at the end of February because of a decline in business and other ventures are starting to pay off. I will have week-ends free for the first time in 16 years. Therefore I feel qualified to chime in. I plan to attend AOTH this year for the first time and am looking forward to that. I will not attend events on Lake George because of all the rules. We have been ignoring the best fresh water boating in this country; The Great Lakes. The next DMRS event should be up here and not on a lake with noise limits and a 45 mph speed limit in addition to passing an inspection and obtaining a special permit to boat on that lake. Bring 'em up here where we can enjoy a real off-shore run with no noise or speed limits and no nonsense. A run to Put-in-Bay would be awesome. I will see everyone at AOTH and I will be joining the local Lake Erie Donzi group for some runs next summer. I will skip the other events. I voted for more events because we need one on the Great Lakes system. Any Great Lake will do. There are endless destinations.

[BUIZILLA]

thanx for the reply Carl....

In my memory bank I seem to recall there WAS an informal group running the Great Lakes already, both sides of Mich. were involved. Perhaps since you didn't have weekends off until now is the reason you couldn't attend them. I would reach out to others in your area, clearly over 20 members herein in your immediate area, and forge old/new friendships going forward. It's all about the communication.

[Thirdchildhood]

thanx for the reply Carl....

In my memory bank I seem to recall there WAS an informal group running the Great Lakes already, both sides of Mich. were involved. Perhaps since you didn't have weekends off until now is the reason you couldn't attend them. I would reach out to others in your area, clearly over 20 members herein in your immediate area, and forge old/new friendships going forward. It's all about the communication.

Yes, we do have quite a contingent of nice Donzi Classics and I have met and boated with Hot Shot Mick, Sweet Cheekz Parnell, Gregg & sons, Todd & others. The problem is that they get together on week-ends and I've been a week-day boater which suits me fine since the lakes are less crowded and I can get an actual slip at PIB! A national event here would almost certainly be a success. It would be closer for some of our Canadian friends too.

[Phil S]

Just my opinion here, so take it what it's worth. Only two events I have been to are the Gorge Run, and AOTH, both a couple times each. Enjoyed every minute of each, and have met sooo many nice folks by doing so.

Advance / set dates seem to be a key ingredient for successful events.

AOTH has had that "weekend before Memorial Day" set in stone, so folks can plan waay in advance for it. Same place every year, with nice & reasonably priced lake-side/slip accommodations. The Gorge Run is just beautiful and I'll always try to make it. I wish we could set that date, although HedgeHog gives quite a bit of notice.

We have wonderful lakes around here, but none have lakeside hotel /restaurant / marina accommodations, which really stinks. Great lakeside campgrounds, but that doesn't really work.

I too, have always been amazed at how far folks have traveled to come to an event. I'm about 6.5 to 7 hours drive pulling to Lake Cumberland, a little over 4 to Chatt, but that pales to compare to what folks from Annapolis, MD, Detroit, MI, Miami, FL, Kansas, etc. have driven. With gas prices these days, I'm sure that has made an understandable dent in folks attendance plans.

Does salt vs. fresh matter ? It doesn't to me, but wondering if it does to some. I thought it'd be cool to have a Donzi Homecoming event every year. Eastern NC, or Miami either way....get Donzi involved in it as well.

I do agree with Scott's post above, that it is waaay more about the friendships forged and camaraderie. Fun, cool, and sometimes fast boats are part of it, but not the point.

Phil S.

[Phil S]

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Toronto, Canada, Victoria British, Canada, Connecticut, Nashville, Knoxville, Raleigh NC, Cincinnati, Columbus,.....you people are kinda crazy now that I think about it......

[Phil S]

Fishin' Sucks.....case in point....

[Phil S]

[roadtripse]

Jill and I have been involved in organizing and attending several Donzi rally's for over a decade.

Buiz already said it, but the biggest factor is communication. You can't just throw out out a date on the boards, and expect people to come out out of the woodwork. People are busy, and distracted. In addition to the boards, we have utilized email chains, Facebook, and the phone to drive attendance. I can remember calling over one hundred people, when actively involved in the Awakening.

Another area is inclusiveness. If you meet a newby out on the water, talk up the Runs. If a newby shows up for a Run, include them in your circle. If somebody has an Arnonow inspired boat, the same principles apply. The Runs are about old friendships and new ones.

Some here seem to think that you can just show up and go with the flow. At smaller runs, less than a dozen boats, you can do just this. Name a date and place, get the boats in the water, run them for the day, and that's it. We've done this a bunch in Michigan.

But, the bigger runs take more organization. In the early days, we would have a hundred people show up, nobody knew what was going on, and simple things like food for everyone could be a crapshoot. Some don't like the more organized format. I always felt a little format got everybody going in the same direction, kept everybody safe, and made things somewhat predictable. Invariably, someone would show up and not want to pay the registration fee, provide insurance verification, or otherwise just be a general pain in the butt. Advice, to those of you who gave me headaches, and to other's on my crew, please stay home, and don't inflict your pain on others who may step up and give this a try.

I have invested 1000's into a sweet Classic. I am always looking for an excuse to go run it in an organized Rally. I am happy to help out anyone that wants to grab the rung and put one of these together, anywhere, anytime. Cheers!

[Donzi Vol]

Phil,
I take a little offense to that. Ok, not really...you speak the truth.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Toronto, Canada, Victoria British, Canada, Connecticut, Nashville, Knoxville, Raleigh NC, Cincinnati, Columbus,.....you people are kinda crazy now that I think about it......

[Donziweasel]

I am moving to Alabama in the spring. AOTH was cool and I enjoyed it, but I like Chat much better, more relaxed, chilled setting. I am with Carl on LG. Plus, the organizers of that event do not seem to particularity care for me.

I guess for me, with family in tow, distance is a factor. Eufala will be close to me but died, as did Destin. Been to both and great locations for events. Maybe the golden age of Donzi Classic events is past us at this point, sad as that is.

[Ed Donnelly]

I like organized. No missed rides etc etc
A.O.T.H. Is the best event I have been to
Missed the boys at 1,000 Islands a few yrs back
Didn't get a ride at A dock
Hope to see you in Kentucky in 2015...Ed

[Lenny]

Didn't get a ride at A dock

That wasn't for anyones lack of trying Ed. You were impossible ot find at Chatt and certainly had a few other things going on.

As far as events go, and I have been to many, Chatt, for me, is the hands down winner. Pretty much disorganized yet everyone ends up boating together. Great crowd ( other than the Squid-Billy's ) and lots of accomodation around. Great restaurants within a few miles ( if they don't close the highway down OR you're riding with Buizilla ). The run down the Gorge is fabulous, locks and all, gas is right close to everyone, stores, etc. The run to Chattanooga is also a real crowd pleaser and absolutely beautiful. Best part of the run to me is the fact that you actually get to run the boats. On and off the throttle for an hour or more before you find a resting spot. Water is warm ( very ) and lots of quiet spots to raft up. Water at the bridge is phenomenal for a drivers boat ( read that 18 )

I am not really all that fond of the " time to sit, time to eat, time to start your boats, time to run " sorta thing.

I just wish some of Hedges crew was capable of waking up before noon and getting out on the water but that might be a Bushwacker related thing .

Anyways, that is the format I like. Deneen and I will definatly be back to Chatt in 2015. And a few nights in Nashville and some sloppy nights at Legends Corner.

The " turdsucker " is a bit of a stretch but the float homes are fun accomodations if not for a tornado. Alabama also has some interesting waterways to frolic in. ( note to self, don't let your wife get absolutely " ****tered " on Margaritas and leave every single piece of identification and money and valuables at a restaurant and expect to board an international flight the next morning )

[Inferno]

Ed , Next year your not allowed to have a 5 hour breakfast, as at Chatt there no set time that we leave the dock.. Bring your oxygen next year and my new one will be alot faster than my 18 you rode in for 2 days at the Awakening. I will gladly give you a ride on the "HOMER SPECIAL" at 105 ,110 ,115 mph +++